Alice Allen: Bass Culture – Alice Allen: Live At Celtic Connections 2024. Album Review.

Liverpool Sound and Vision Rating * * * *

The ability to work in the stream of conscious is a skill that doesn’t get enough commendation, to set out and complete an idea without reworking it to the point where it becomes sterile for the performer is a devotion to the belief of human ingenuity and unquestionable imagination at our disposal.

To do so though in the arena where the live performance hangs on the outcome of limited rehearsal and utilising only the new product to showcase your proficiency and musical power is beyond commendable, it is to be admired throughout.

As part of the Celtic Connections festival in early 2024, Alice Allen took a decision filled with courage to step away from the polished and instead look upon the audience and deliver a set of new songs that had barely had chance to see the light of day, let alone breathe in the air of those who would be in the eye of the storm, and in act that that could have gone either way, what has been captured in Bass Culture – Alice Allen: Live At Celtic Connections 2024 is proof that determination to examine a different way to bring art to the stage can be successful if pursued with vigour and the belief in a kind of magic that only appears when your heart acknowledges absorbing another dimension of thought is credible and enjoyable.

With support from Duncan Lyall on double bass, Seonaid Aitkin and Kristan Harvey on violin, Rory Matheson on piano, Signy Jakobsdottir on drums and percussion, Marit Falt on nordic mandolin, Anna Massie on guitar, and Patsy Reid on viola, Alice Allen is surrounded by an abundance of talent that truly invigorates the proceedings and makes the experience one of unique fulfilment. Tracks such as Madeline Rose, Bootlicker, Fury Of A Stag, Jessica And Elsa’s Wedding, and the finale of Strathbogie Toast take on the responsibility entrusted upon them so the sense of the grateful reward reaches the ears of the listener.

An album that embraces the novel experience, and worships ingenuity, there are few that can carry off such a desirable approach to music and art in the same way that has inspired Alice Allen to explore in such an accomplished way.

Ian D. Hall